A/N: Hi guys! Thank you for your continued support through likes, reviews and comments. I hope everyone is safe. Please stay safe and take care.
Disclaimer: Hunter x Hunter and all its characters are not mine.
Chapter 4
Illumi regretted taking the healer with him. She was a torn on his already bleeding ears. At the beginning of their journey, she had been shrieking and screaming as they leaped through the vortex of time. She had also been very demanding on bringing a lot of things like bentos, towels, blankets, change of clothes and other toiletries which admittedly, he didn't mind.
It had been annoying and grating to his nerves having to listen to her every little bit of tattle here and there, though. Not to mention, Hisoka's actively goading and taunting the girl, causing her to react defiantly. The only time the two seemed cordial with each other was when he arrived from Milluki's room.
The two had been huddled together in a corner, with Hisoka combing the healer's long wet hair. They were both facing Killua's bed, with Hisoka sitting behind the healer. The healer looked sleepy as Hisoka managed to style her hair. How the magician convince the healer to let him do her hair though remains a mystery to him. However, the sight of the pair made one of his eyebrows rise.
Hisoka doesn't seduce little girls like that. Hisoka doesn't stoop so low as to combing hairs of women, period. And Kiyoko better not trust the magician so much, she'd be dead if she do so. But of course, Illumi doesn't care. Kiyoko is only useful as she is now since she will heal Killua. After that, Hisoka can do whatever he wants, may it be seducing her or killing her.
The trio arrived earlier on the tunnel at the start of the hunter exam. They had to wait though since the tunnel only had very few people in it.
"Ne, Illumi-san, what are we doing in this dark tunnel?" Kiyoko whispered, holding Illumi's arms towards her chest. Their closeness kept her feeling secured as she warily observed her surroundings. How she feels secured around the man who kidnapped her is peculiar though pretty much understandable. He basically looks saner to her than the annoying clown.
Looking around, she noticed that there were already a few men lounging in the area. There were bulky, scary-looking men whose muscles are way too big. Some looked dirty and unkempt, others looked ready for a fight. This didn't look like a respectable, decent and completely safe area to be walking about. And the thought alone scares Kiyoko, who unconsciously held Illumi's arm tighter. However, she missed seeing the arched brows of a certain long-haired assassin as well as the crossed-arms of a redhead, at the closeness.
"Getting the root of the healing cedar tree you mentioned," Illumi casually replied with a poker face though deep inside he was having mixed feelings. He felt possessively comfortable with Kiyoko casually draped on his arm but at the same time, he knew it was wrong, for him. He is not a protector by nature. He is a killer. He was born to kill. He lived to kill. However, this tiny woman, holding his arm like a scared kitten is stirring something strange inside him. And this weird feeling wants him to protect her. Protect her from everything that might harm her.
"Eh? So where going to find it here?" Kiyoko wistfully whispered, imagining what the healing cedar tree would look like, though she couldn't quite think of it growing in this place. This just looks like a perfect spot for murder and not a habitat for such a magnificent tree. She imagined hidden crimes being done here and the ghosts that might be lurking in the area and she shuddered at the thought.
Instantly, she felt warm strong fingers holding her chin. She was now looking at the devilish glint of the Annoying Clown's slit golden eyes.
"Scared, Star-chan~?"
Kiyoko gasped at their close proximity. She could literally see the golden specks in his eyes and feel the Annoying Clown's breath on her cheek as he loomed above her. She was so busy wondering about the cedar tree that she hadn't thought about the annoying clown who seemed to effectively irritate and annoy the hell out of her at every chance he could get. She instantly wondered if she could add pervert on his name as she felt his body heatedly pressed on her.
Hisoka can't seem to stop himself. The healer is so amusing to tease that he wondered whether he is going to miss her the moment Illumi gets rid of her. Star-chan's innocent and candid expressions stirs his perverse side, which normally awakens when faced with a strong opponent he oh so love to crush. He won't stop himself though, for that is what makes him, him. And if the healer awakens his uncontrollable lust, then she will have to face it. Be responsible for stirring such desires. Damn her for enticing him.
Quivering at the feral glint in his golden eyes, Kiyoko instantly push the redhead clown as she scrambled to hide behind Illumi.
"I w-was n-not s-scared, you i-idiot!" Kiyoko blushed as she thought about how close they were. They almost kissed each other at the intimate closeness of their faces. What the heck is wrong with the clown? The said clown merrily and disgustingly laughed to his heart's content, making Kiyoko fume with irritation.
She looks like a damn scared kitten~
"What is wrong with you? Are you laughing at me now? Don't you dare laugh at me!" Kiyoko huffed and pointed her fingers in frustration at the culprit, her other arm though is still basically holding Illumi's arm. However, it seems that what she said was wrong since it just sends the magician into another laughing fit, one she basically waited out as she grumbled silently while crossing her arms.
"Ne, Illu, would you mind giving Star-chan to me once you're done with her~" chuckling, Hisoka playfully slap Illu's shoulder as he tried to once again rile the healer by winking perversely at her. This had gained his desired effect as the healer came barraging at him, aiming to hit him with her fists, while her cheeks where blushing madly at the clown's innuendo.
"Whatever you need her for?" Illumi indifferently asked, though the magician's sexual undertones didn't go unnoticed. The slight crease on Illumi's eyebrows is a telltale sign that he doesn't like it.
Hmm, let's see… I like her expressions~" Hisoka's eyes twinkled mischievously, holding the healer's head, preventing her futile attempts from actually reaching him with her fists.
"Hmmm." Illumi's soulless eyes bore into Hisoka, wanting him to say more.
"And I want to see more of her expressions…" Hisoka's eyes glinted, his smile sadistic as he issued his message, laced with a silent edge.
The silent threat wasn't lost on Illumi as he stared back at Hisoka with an unflinchingly cold stare. He could feel his muscles tensing, ready to strike as to why, he doesn't know. All he knew is that he didn't like the sound of Hisoka staking his claim on the healer, however unvaluable she is and the sadistically explicit meaning behind the magician's words.
"Do what you want," Illumi spoke, his face once again blank as he walked forward, eager to find a spot for them as they waited for the hunter exam to start. First things first, he needed to save Killua.
This is getting interesting~
Hisoka smiled at the retreating back of the Zoldyck assassin. He had sensed Illumi's fury a while back and the Zoldyck assassin doesn't get riled up easily. Hitting two birds with one stone is such a great luck!
Oi, clown, just what are you talking about? For your information, I don't like you!" Kiyoko stomped her foot in emphasis as she put both her hands on her hips.
"Ohh? ~" Hisoka frowned comically at the absolute rejection, crocodile's tears looming in his eyes. We'll see.
Offended and absolutely irritated, Kiyoko stomped her foot to an opposite direction. She could never really understand those two men, trying to do so might just create more problems, mental problems. For now, it would be wise to distance herself with the two. Those wackos should just send her here to find the things they needed. She'd prefer to do it alone and then be done with it.
Scanning the area, by now, it was almost full. It was more packed than before. She immediately settled here bag in a far and dim corner, sitting on the cold, dry earth after. She was just making herself comfortable when she almost had a heart attack. There on her left was a man with the weirdest look she had ever seen. He had what it looked like pins on his face and head!
Must be some costume!
Kiyoko mused as she got over her initial shock. He looked weird but for some reason, he also looked okay to her. Feeling a little bit comfortable, she gently smiled and wave to the weird looking guy and frowned. Next to the Pin Man, who she now mentally named, is the Pervert Annoying Clown. What is he doing now?
She cringed as she remembered the odd conversation, they had a while ago.
She's not dumb but she wished they could be subtle or much better, they will not let her hear them talk about her, especially Annoying Pervert Clown. As she stared at the clown, she noticed that he was not wearing what he supposedly wears a while ago. He had on a dark clowny shirt with a matching dark clowny pants and dark boots but now, he had a white with bluish hue matching outfit. He also looked younger if she's not mistaken. What bewilders her the most is that he looked unusually serene as he piled cards after cards on what looked like a tower of cards he is arranging. Serene could never be used to describe the annoying clown.
A few minutes of waiting and sitting had gone by when Kiyoko noticed that something had changed. The people in the area had stilled and were intently listening to somebody. Standing, Kiyoko was positive she would never see whoever it was due to her impressive 5' feet height. She could only wait for what will happen next since she can only see the back of most people's heads in front of her. In fact, she didn't even know where Illumi is. Or the clown…
She must have been carried away by her thoughts since the next thing she knew was the mad rush of people. She couldn't help but run as fast as her short legs could carry to avoid being trampled. However, just a few minutes of running had her feeling drained and out of breath already. She needed to stop and take a breather. Not to mention her legs which are killing her already, begging her to stop. She made a mental note to herself to jog or train lightly once this is all over.
Her exhaustion must have been catching up to her real fast since she already felt dizzy by the time she managed to maneuver to run to the sides. Most of the runners were ahead of her now, however, there were still a few behind her.
Catching her breath, she tried to close her eyes and lean on the dry earth, relaxing but still gulping awfully huge breaths. Moments later, she felt a presence approached her.
He was a short, stout man, probably in his forties, who is wearing a kind smile.
"Hey, what does a cute girl like you doing in this exam? You look like you could use a drink, want some?" the man politely asked then gestured to her an orange drink in a can, which looked absolutely divine for her parched throat.
The heavens must have been looking out for her today and sent this caring man to her rescue.
"Thank you, thank you!" Kiyoko cheerfully took the offered drink.
"No problem! Take care!" the kind man smiled, waved and then took off on the direction everyone is running for.
"Thank Kami!" Kiyoko loudly sighed as she fiddled with the lid of the can. She brought water with her, of course, but nothing beats an orange juice when she's parched like this! Taking the can on her mouth, she could already taste the juice when she felt it taken away from her. It felt more like a zap, like somebody slap the can from her hand though she can never be sure. It happened too fast. Its smashing sound echoed on the earthly walls as she looked for it, noting the smashed can and spilled juice near her feet.
What the heck? What had just happened?
On her side, she could only see one man with her. It was Mr. Pin Man.
"Oh hi there!" Kiyoko hesitantly spoke to the guy. Now that he was up close, she noticed some jarring traits of the man. Pin Man is tall. Like Pervert Clown or Illumi's kind of tall. He is also lean. And the most unsettling thing of all is that he is like, has this tick in his jaw, which kind of vibrates and shows off a mechanical doll-like-feeling, like its being manipulated.
"D…did you see what happened?" Kiyoko tried to talk to him again, curious but at the same time nervous on hearing the unusual man talk.
He didn't talk.
Of course.
He just lets his jaw work its way on terrifying her by constantly moving as he inclined his head mechanically on her as if giving all his attention to her.
"Urgggghhh, never mind." Kiyoko silently grumbled as she grabs a large pink water bottle from her backpack.
"Here, have a drink, I'm sure you're thirsty too. I was actually thinking of sharing this with Illumi, but since he's not here, I might as well share it with you." Kyoko smiled as she held the water bottle to him but not really expecting him to take it.
Pin Man took it though, to her utter amazement.
His mechanical ticks didn't stop. But the man uncapped the bottle and drank. There were spills, what with the ticking of his jaw, probably an inborn trait of his, but Kiyoko rewarded him with a kind smile as he passed the bottle to her. She immediately drank the remaining water then returned the bottle in her bag.
Having her thirst quenched, she opened her mouth to talk only to be interrupted.
"What have you been doing, healer?" a pissed Illumi spoked.
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